Portland Trail Blazers’ Potential Trade Targets For The Stretch Run

You’ll have to excuse me if this article isn’t quite up to snuff; I’m writing this wearing my Denver Broncos sweatshirt and can’t get the image of Peyton Manning overthrowing everyone in sight out of my head. So let’s talk about happier things, shall we? Like the Portland Trail Blazers! They’re still good, right? 30-8 is among the best starts in franchise history, and the team is finally gaining national recognition as a real threat to take home the title this year.

But the Western Conference is a bloodbath, and it’s only getting worse. Dallas added 4-time all-star Rajon Rondo, Houston added Josh Smith, who averages a career 15 points and 8 rebounds a game, and Memphis is finalizing a trade to get Jeff Green, who’s averaging 17.8 points per game this season. The Blazers are good; they may even be good enough to win the West without adding any pieces. But if the right trade presents itself, the Blazers absolutely should look to add another productive player for the stretch run and playoffs. While the trade deadline may not be for another month, it’s looking like there are deals to be made now.

Before we start, a few ground rules: when you are thinking of your own Blazer trade targets, ask yourself these three questions:

• Does the trade make sense for the Blazers?
• Does the trade make sense for Team X?
• Does the player(s) salary fit with the Blazers’ tradable pieces?

If the answer to all three questions isn’t “yes,” then move along. For example, while I’m sure New Orleans wouldn’t mind having Thomas Robinson and CJ McCollum, I doubt they would give Portland Anthony Davis in return. Likewise, Amar’e Stoudemire could provide some excellent big man depth and scoring punch for Portland, and New York would happily give him away, but Portland would have to find $23 million in salary to trade back to New York – it just isn’t happening.

So without further ado, here are five potential targets that could really help the Blazers and what a trade might look like:

Kobe Bryant – Just kidding. As Jalen Rose would say, keep gettin’ dem checks, Kobe.

Wilson Chandler – Now this is more like it. Grantland’s Zach Lowe stoked the fires on this one, as he tweeted out that the Nuggets were basically just waiting for the Blazers to offer a 1^st round pick to get this deal done. I love this deal for Portland. Chandler would bring 14 points and 6 rebounds a game to the wing, and give Portland matchup flexibility as well as a great first-or-second option off the bench when everyone is healthy. Potential Trade: Denver gets Dorell Wright, Victor Claver, and 2014 1^st round Pick – Portland gets Wilson Chandler.

Why Denver does the deal: Denver is going nowhere fast, and this helps them in the race to the bottom. They are looking at a multi-year rebuild, and need to start accumulating assets.

Aaron Afflalo – Same team, different player. Denver recognizes they aren’t going anywhere this season, so basically anyone on their roster is available, for the right price. Afflalo is a little shorter than Chandler, and plays more of a shooting guard or small forward in small ball lineups. Afflalo is a little better shooter than Chandler, and would probably be a little more explosive on that second unit. But his salary is also higher, so Portland would have to give up more to get him. Potential Trade: Denver gets Thomas Robinson, Victor Claver, and 2014 1^st round pick – Portland gets Aaron Afflalo.

Why Denver does the deal: See above.

Luol Deng – So now we start swinging for the fences. Deng gives you a super 6^th man, as well as insurance in case Batum’s shooting struggles continue. This is the type of push-your-chips-to-the-middle move that Olshey only makes if he thinks Deng is all Portland needs to win it all. With that said, he’s an excellent player who could prove invaluable if you need to guard Durant, Harden, or any of the other explosive wings Portland is likely to see throughout the Western Conference Playoffs. Potential Trade: Miami gets Thomas Robinson, CJ McCollum, Dorell Wright and a 2014 protected 1^st round pick – Portland gets Luol Deng and Danny Granger.

Why Miami does the deal: Miami is realizing Bosh and Wade aren’t enough to win in South Beach without LeBron. This pushes them into the lottery to start the rebuild while giving them extended looks at two former lottery picks who could find bigger roles in a new home.

Kevin Martin – If Coach Stotts feels like there isn’t enough scoring or 3-point shooting coming off the bench, here’s a guy who would bring both in spades. He’s averaging 20.4 points per game while shooting an absurd 48% from downtown. Of course, he plays defense only slightly more effectively than a target dummy, so that would be an issue. But his scoring and shooting are undeniable, and could be a huge spark off the bench in the playoffs. Potential Trade: Minnesota gets Dorell Wright, Victor Claver, and a protected 2014 1^st Round pick – Portland gets Kevin Martin.

Why Minnesota does the deal: Kevin Martin is taking shots away from Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, and Minnesota needs to know exactly how good those two can be. Minnesota is also in the lead for the most ping pong balls next spring, and want to make sure they stay there.

Greg Monroe – Monroe is a solid big man averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds this year who would give Portland a very imposing front court as the playoffs approach. A series with Memphis means possibly 7 games against Z-Bo and Marc Gasol, and big bodies who can challenge them will be like gold. Monroe is also young (24) and would provide a nice insurance policy in case Lopez commands too much as a free agent or, god forbid, Aldridge leaves. This season he would be a luxury for Portland, but too many talented big men is a problem I’m sure Coach Stotts wouldn’t mind having. Potential Trade: Detroit gets Meyers Leonard, CJ McCollum, and 2014 1^st round pick – Portland gets Greg Monroe and Kyle Singler.

Why Detroit does the deal: Other than the fear of losing him for nothing in free agency, I have no idea. Monroe is a talented young big in a league with remarkably few of them. But Ric Bucher knows this stuff light years better than I do, and he says Monroe is available.